Court Will Seal Communication between Schaap, Victim

By Teresa Auch Schultz
The Post-Tribune
October 5, 2012

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/lake/15566012-418/court-will-seal-communication-between-schaap-victim.html

Jack Schaap, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hammond.

A federal judge has sealed communication between Jack Schaap, the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Hammond, and his 17-year-old victim, according to an order filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court in Hammond.

U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano granted a motion by Schaap's attorneys to keep the documents, which include emails and letters, private because they include information that identifies the victim.

Schaap pleaded guilty last month to taking the girl, who was receiving counseling from him and was one of his congregants at First Baptist, across state lines into Illinois and Wisconsin for sexual activity.

Schaap said during his hearing he didn't realize what he was doing was criminal, although he did know it was a sin.

The investigation into Schaap came out in August when First Baptist announced his firing because of the affair. They turned the case over to the Lake County Sheriff's Department, and federal charges against Schaap were announced in September.

Schaap is being held without bond pending his sentencing. His plea agreement with the government calls for him to serve the minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison.

Contact: tauch@post-trib.com